This is the story of Islam, much as the Holy Roman Empire and the Pope of Avignon are chapters in the story of Christendom. The focus is on dynasty anThis is the story of Islam, much as the Holy Roman Empire and the Pope of Avignon are chapters in the story of Christendom. The focus is on dynasty and empire/nation building, rather than the religion itself. Which is potentially interesting! Except I already know most of it from other sources, so I really was looking for more information on the religion and cultures than the names and dates of rulers. ...more

A fascinating book, and a good reminder of how far we've come - and how quickly - for whenever the distance we have yet to go starts to feel overwhelmA fascinating book, and a good reminder of how far we've come - and how quickly - for whenever the distance we have yet to go starts to feel overwhelming. Oddly, I feel as though I came away from this book with a better understanding of my mom's (somewhat fraught) relationship with her mother. Highly recommended, easy to read in fits and starts due to the episodic and anecdotal arrangement of the chapters....more

ARC review. I found the historic details of this book very interesting. I don't know much about Peking/Beijing in any period - honestly, I still don'tARC review. I found the historic details of this book very interesting. I don't know much about Peking/Beijing in any period - honestly, I still don't feel I know much, since so much of the story is based on English records of the murder at the center of the story. (French does a good job of acknowledging, even pointing up the colonial bias, but that doesn't eliminate it. Worse, the main Chinese character proves duplicitous/unknowable towards the end of the book - reinforcing the image of the impenetrable East.) But I was hooked regardless, sucked into the world of the book for a full day, and I came out wanting to learn more about the place and period. ...more

I didn't expect to find pilgrims so interesting! I listened to this book while trying to stave off absolute boredom at a mind-numbing job -- I've beenI didn't expect to find pilgrims so interesting! I listened to this book while trying to stave off absolute boredom at a mind-numbing job -- I've been reading it (re-reading it?) off and on in the month since, because I remember things that I've read better than things I've only heard (especially if I'm listening while doing other things). The author makes interesting connections between the Puritans and modern America, and illuminates a number of misconceptions about what the Puritans actually believed and wrote about themselves. Sometimes, they were better than the vague ideas I'd picked up from school and wider culture; sometimes, they were worse. But they were always more nuanced and interesting.

The audio version is fantastic - the various excerpts by historical characters were all voiced by different actors, while Vowell herself provides the main narration. (While author-readers are not always a great idea, this one has a background in radio.)...more

Normally, I end up rounding up on bookclub books because of the interesting conversations I associate with them. This time, I am standing firm at "okaNormally, I end up rounding up on bookclub books because of the interesting conversations I associate with them. This time, I am standing firm at "okay."

I did not read all the Little House books. I think I read three before I hit Farmer Boy, couldn't get through it, and refused to skip ahead in my box set (which was weird, because wee! me used to read series out of order all the time). So I was coming to this book as a non-Wilder fan, but I was more than half-expecting to be won over and convinced that I needed to go read them immediately, because I find enthusiasm contagious.

Instead I hit this line on page 28, "And I was still afraid to ask: what kind of person would I become if I just went with this, let my calico-sunbonnet freak flag fly?"

I would say a happier one.

If I could say one thing to the author, it would be this: Wendy McClure, embrace your geekiness. Seriously, I am more likely to judge you for admitting in print to not knowing what "ague" means than for being enthusiastic about something you think other people left behind in childhood. Other people don't care half as much as you think -- and anyway, why would you care about the opinions of the joyless people judging you?

I wish I could say she does come to embrace it -- after all, she goes on to write an entire book about "Laura World," pursuing that elusive place-slash-state-of-mind through research into the historical and biographical basis for the books, experiments in turn of the century homesteading and cross-Plains road trips. But right up to the final chapter, it feels like she's always holding back, always just a little embarrassed. And that's a shame.

However, I do have to thank her for introducing me to Rose Wilder Lane, Laura's daughter, who sounds absolutely fascinating....more

Wow! I picked this up as an impulse buy, thinking my sister (who loves all things Jazz Age) would want to borrow/steal it later. Now that I've read itWow! I picked this up as an impulse buy, thinking my sister (who loves all things Jazz Age) would want to borrow/steal it later. Now that I've read it, she can't have it: it's mine. Science! History! Prohibition! Murder! Accidental deaths due to the utter lack of regulation of drugs, household chemicals, and cosmetics!

The book has an interestingly layered organization. Each chapter is titled for the poison/chemical whose investigation is woven the most centrally through that section; however, the book is also a chronological biography of Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler, the scientists who put science at the center of death investigations in New York. Deborah Blum uses individual case studies -- some solved, some not -- to highlight the development of various detection techniques, Norris and Gettler's efforts to elevate the status of good science in the courtroom, and even the everyday dangers of the era.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys science, history, and forensics....more